Project 543 tells the story of unique spots across North Carolina we hope will become some of your favorite places. Why 543? Because that’s the number of miles from Manteo, on the coast, to Murphy, in the mountains, and is traditionally considered to be the width of our state. The entries in this project are in no particular order, and we’ll add to them each week. Check in often to find inspiration for your next trip, or start planning today at VisitNC.com.

What is Project 543?

Project 543 tells the story of unique spots across North Carolina we hope will become some of your favorite places. Why 543? Because that’s the number of miles from Manteo, on the coast, to Murphy, in the mountains, and is traditionally considered to be the width of our state. The entries in this project are in no particular order, and we’ll add to them each week. Check in often to find inspiration for your next trip, or start planning today at VisitNC.com.

Search 543

Visit the only museum dedicated to Airborne & Special Operations

The Airborne & Special Operations Museum in Fayetteville is the only facility in the world that tells the comprehensive history of the U.S. Airborne and Special Forces. North Carolina has a long association with military training facilities and features military-themed attractions throughout the state with a special emphasis on Fayetteville and Cumberland County, the home of Fort Bragg, which houses the U.S. Army Airborne Forces and Special Forces, as well as U.S. Army Forces Command and U.S. Army Reserve Command. The Airborne & Special Operations Museum focuses on parachute and glider borne troops and the special operations forces and the heroic feats of this unique sector of the armed forces from its inception in 1940 to present-day operations. It features artifacts, life-size dioramas, audio and visual displays, and a 24-seat motion simulator that allows visitors to get the experience of a helicopter attack. The facility is part of the Army museum system. The Fayetteville area has several military-based attractions including the 82nd Airborne Museum and JFK Special Warfare Museum.